Monday 25th July 2016

A very warm and sunny day.
Morning spent in Caversham and a trip to Henry Street for a stake to make the laburnum tree more secure.
This afternoon re-staked the laburnum tree, bigger job than I thought. Ended up digging a large hole to concrete in the stake as ground so soft. No wonder the tree was leaning at 45.
All done now, will leave ropes until cement has hardened.
             Was only out for a couple of hours but on return a dragonfly had emerged, so annoyed I am missing them. Good at the same time they are emerging however.
Managed a fab' photograph of a comma, cooperated for once.
Day without swifts, have they now left us for  this year? My guess, probably have.
Picture 1 - Re-staking laburnum tree.
      "     2 - Moth on garden railings.
      "     3 - Fly.
      "     4 - Comma butterfly.
      "     5 - Empty nymph shell.

Sunday 24th July 2016

Another hot and sunny day, loving it.
A restful day sitting around the pond for ever hopeful I would spot an emerging dragonfly. Sadly not but plenty of other wildlife to enjoy. Green woodpecker spotted again (must change date on trail camera), hedgehog also out as was two foxes again. Small and large white butterfly, peacock, a comma and a speckled wood butterfly all seen today.
Finished the day with a glass of wine and a bbq.
Picture 1 - Foxy.
      "     2 - Young green woodpecker.
      "     3 - Magpie.
      "     4 - Speckled Wood butterfly against a cobweb background.
  "   5 - 7 - Moths.
  "        8 - Cooling wine in the pond.
  "        9 - Enjoying said wine.

Saturday 23rd July 2016

A hot day, plenty of sun.
After a morning shop it was a day spent relaxing in the garden or sifting through over 3000 trail camera images. 
Well worth the effort, hedgehog out every night we were away and a green woodpecker spotted on two of the days. My good mate has just confirmed it is a 2016 fledgling. Good news.
Good also to hear and see the swifts still about so not left yet.
Although enjoyed the holiday it was good to be back amongst my garden wildlife friends.

Friday 22nd July 2016

Blimey, what a hot day.
After a good breakfast and a goodbye chat to our hosts at the Old Inn it was time to leave. A fantastic pub going back to the 1500s with good hosts Jean and Paul. Paul a retired chippy from Camden meant we had a lot in common and got on so well we felt we had known each other for years. We will return some day I'm sure.
With the weather so good it was decided to spend a day at Chesil and Abbotsbury Swannery. Chesil beach was a little hot for walking so spent more time at Abbotsbury. Arrived just in time to see the mic day swan feed. An amazing place with fantastic walks through reed beds. Although hot there was a fair amount of shade.
Another good day, arrived home late, pretty tired after a fantastic few days away.

Thursday 21st July 2016

Very warm, in fact very very warm.
Day spent at Beer. Morning spent at Beer caves, what an experience and what some history. Have visited London Bridge, Tower of London, St Pauls, Exeter, Salisbury and Bath Cathedral's plus many more historic buildings and realise how much we take these buildings for granted certainly not appreciating the building blocks were mined from Beer. You could fit a cathedral in the mine, a visit I will remember for a long time.
After a good lunch and the weather still good it was an afternoon on the beech watching the fishing boats coming ashore. First time in my life have I hired a deck chair!
At 4.30pm it was time to head back to the Old Inn and a spruce up before the birthday treat to River Cottage HQ.
Taxi arrived on time and in ten minutes we were at River Cottage waiting for our tractor taxi to take us on the last step of the journey to HQ.
A bit bumpy but the sixty of us in the trailer took it in good part, good way of meeting fellow diners.
After an introduction detailing the evenings program it was time for a welcome cider brandy drink.
We had an hour to wander and enjoy all what River Cottage has to offer, the cottage, veg' garden, farm, school kitchen, incredible view and of course the main kitchen where staff and chef were so accommodating and interesting to listen to.
7.30pm and time to sit ready for the first of seven courses. Chef explained the menu and promised we would not leave hungary. We didn't ! What an evening, met some good friends before leaving at 11pm for our tractor taxi arrived to drive us to the main road where our respective taxi's were awaiting our arrival.
A great evening to finish a great day. Happy Birthday Lorn.xx

Wednesday 20th July 2016

A hot and sunny day, just brilliant.
Arrived in the delightful village of Hawkchurch lunchtime staying at The Old Inn. Enjoyed a good walk this afternoon across fields in bright sunshine which meant just one thing, beautiful views with dozens of butterflies. Just loved it.
Sitting now in the courtyard listening and watching swifts against a stunning sunset backdrop. This is the UK at its best.
Looking forward to tomorrow now and the visit to Beer and Branscombe and River Cottage HQ tomorrow night.

Tuesday 19th July 2016

A very hot day with temp' reaching 27c in the shade.
Did nothing today except sit about and pack the case ready for our Dorset short break to River Cottage HQ.
A lot of activity around the pond area today but sadly no sighting of dragonflies emerging but, did see four empty nymph shells so has been recent activity. Happy in the knowledge the pond is working. With no fish now makes me think this is the reason for so many nymphs in the pond.
Plenty of butterflies, managed to photograph a comma but the peacock, large and small white were flying about all day. Swifts also about all day. Last night they were still flying low at 10pm.
Picture 1 - Dragonfly nymph on a branch in the pond.
      "     2 - Comma butterfly on the magnolia tree.
      "     3 - Large moth in the eaves of the bandstand.
 "  4 & 6 - Moths in the garden this morning.
 "         5 - Pair great tits enjoying a shower.
 "         7 - Four empty nymph shells.
 "         8 - Grasshopper on a garden chair.
 "         9 - Enjoying a drink.
 "        10 - 27c in the shade, 34c in the sun.